The Art and Science of Making the New Man in Early 20th-Century Russia

This book explores the creation of the "new man" in Russia and the early Soviet Union in the 20th century, challenging the traditional narrative of propaganda. It examines the interplay between experimental life sciences and cultural products, revealing a more complex and contradictory vision. The volume highlights the historical trajectories of "new man visions" and their connections with other European visions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 29 June 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Throughout history, the notion that morally, mentally, and physically superior "new men" could replace the existing human race has periodically captivated the minds of intellectuals, leaders, and reformers. This comprehensive volume delves into the creation of the "new man" in Russia and the early Soviet Union during the first third of the 20th century. Challenging the traditional narrative of the Soviet "new man" as solely a product of propaganda, the book presents a diverse range of case studies that explore the intricate interplay between rapidly developing experimental life sciences, such as biology, medicine, and psychology, and a multitude of cultural products, including film, fiction, dolls, museum exhibits, pedagogical projects, sculptures, and agricultural fairs. Contributions from scholars located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Russia paint a more complex, contradictory, and suggestive picture of "new man visions" in Europe and beyond. Contrary to previous interpretations that primarily highlighted the apparent disjuncture between utopian "new man rhetoric" and the harsh realities of everyday life in the Soviet Union, this volume sheds light on the surprising historical trajectories of these visions, their often obscure origins, acclaimed and forgotten champions, unexpected and complicated outcomes, and mutual interrelationships. In essence, the volume serves as a timely exploration of a recurring theme in modern history, where dramatic advancements in science and technology converge with apprehensions about the future to fuel dreams of a new and improved mankind.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350232846